Haiku Tuesday

Things will change in life

Put pride aside, learn to grow

lest you stay the same




Click for Kristen

writing

So can I count a sentence each morning as writing? Its been a bit of a struggle to know you love something but be void of time and energy to do it. But, I plug on. Giving up is not an option. I truly want to do this. The boys and I took all three dogs to the beach and walked....okay I walked and they rode in the stroller/circus wagon. Meka's name might just become Mi Mi. I cant figure out who I am hollering at...Meka, Nukka, Nukka, Meka...arhg. I worked up a sweat and came home to 'reward' myself with left over popcorn, only to end up breaking a tooth. That's it, no more rewards for me! mumble mumble 30mumble mumble Seriously, today looks good despite the interesting beginning. Oh and we might just get a van soon. Yes we caved. I have to face the fact we own one too many dogs for the Volvo.

Church clothes

Mr. Steel dressed himself for church. He told me he picked all the stylish stuff from his drawer. All hail long socks with shorts. It would have made his grandpa Greg proud.

felted bag

My long neglected nook finally has a little protection. As you can see there is a little pocket inside for my ipod. Seems like an oxymoron though....handmade bag that holds technology.

Sun in Janary.

Life feels so good when every so often you get a pinch of sun between all the days of rain. Meeka is such a good dog. She comes right back when I call her and did I mention she loves me....because she does.

Haiku Tuesday

Three dogs and three kids too

Pets don't outnumber people

Well...for now at least

click for Kristen



A few fun things

What happens when you tell your video game addicted son he has to play outside...after staring into the window for 15 minutes he slumps to the deck and pretends to fall asleep. Must be muscle fatigue.

 No one ever told the pets life would be easy for them. Oh they get plenty of food and exercises, perhaps a bit too much love though.

 "Mom, taking my picture made me fall down in a heap..." has that ever happened to your child?

Look close this picture is different.....Introducing Meeka

Do you ever find yourself watching movies and identify yourself with a random character and not the main one. Sense and Sensibility was one of those movies for me. I remember watching it for the first...no fourth.....no ummmm well I have watched it a lot. I remember watching it and taking a shine to this old lady aunt who is boisterous, kind, overly loud, has a tendency to hurt feelings without noticing, and silly. The first time you meet her in the movie you see her open her carridge door and a heard  pack of dogs leaps ahead and races to greet the family. I thought...I want to be a crazy old lady who has fun and owns too many animals. Okay not that exactly, but something like it. Well Today I brought myself one step closer. I found a Great Dane on craigslist and went to see her. She is just what I wanted, so I bought her. I might have even given off a silly giggle...no worries, I held myself back from doling out unwanted advise to random strangers at dinner parties about matrimony. for now...*wink*

b-ball

Last night was the first game of the season. My girl bounced around the court, waving her arms apropriatly. I had a blast watching. If only the boys enjoyed the cheering. I kept getting dirty looks along with shushing. By the end of the night they both were done. Next time I will bring ear plugs.

Haiku Tuesday

hold my breath and look

a whisp of hope rises free

blushing rose in snow

click for Kristen



Haiku Tuesday

counting month by month

how many days till summer?

three kids want to know

one, two, three

Yesterday was a nice day in January. It really was. No rain accompanied by sunshine and a harvest moon to boot. It made the fact that one of my boys accidentally tossed balloons near the cold air return vent, which doesn't have the cover on it, a little less horrible. This AM all I could think about was getting it fixed, even if it meant me spending yet another blip of my life crawling under the house.  How does one get balloons out? Duct tape attached to a hanger.. attached to a long sheet... swung by me. Praise Jesus they were inflated!!

Nukka at 5 1/2 months

She doesn't like to be given a bath, but she sure does like the bathtub.

a few shots from camp

Whats that, its cruel to make a dog sled with children? heh heh heh Yes it is.

b-ball

My girl is playing b-ball this year. Who knew that being a sports mom included selling your soul to practice, Monday through Thursday?? Not me! I took this pic so you could see the size difference. She is loving it though.

And God said no.

  Can you think of all the times when God said no?
 One of the most difficult moments was when he said that camas was not a forever home. Sure there were hard things too, but my very heart beat to see the sun rise over those mountains. Nature has always been a place where God felt close. Why would he choose to rip that away from me? Why would he say no? Now that I have put 9 years behind it, everything makes sense.
  Another time was when my high school friend Anthony Viettie was lost on Mt. Hood and I prayed desperately for the rescuers to find him. He said no again. I still don't know why. A small part might be the hundreds of people at Anthony's funeral, the lost people who were able to experience Christs love amidst sorrow.
  Then there are other times. Times I was relieved to hear Him say no. While I was in Africa on a mission trip, God asked me if I would stay forever. I prayed and surrendered. I was willing and its the willingness He wanted. When it came time, he said no. I breathed a sigh of relief...as my parents are doing right now.
  This last week I felt relief. After years of pursuing foster parenting and adoption, God said no. I have been asking Him, "Is this for us? Does our family need to be bigger?" And he has been quiet. So Greg and I have pressed on. We just finished up another set of classes. An intense set of classes. We waited and prayed and continued on. I wanted to be making a difference in the world somehow, but when that still small voice said, "no" I stood back. I questioned myself. Is this me talking here or God? Then all the relief came.
  I know that as an American, often times we search for a specific answer to the HOW in life. How do I know? What one thing tipped me off? Honestly, just God. Only he could provide the peace in this decision. Relief followed by peace.
  God may ask difficult things of you, He may wait patiently for you to obey, and he may just say no in the end.

Haiku Tuesday

rolling waves across

sandy beaches crash spilling

life and all its cares

click for Kristen

new year now here

 I like resolutions, especially the ones on my blog. It use to be that after I made goals, they would escape my leaky brain. Now I can look back and see what exactly I hoped for and if it came about.
  Last year I wanted to become better at a skill. First I chose playing my banjo, but switched half way through the year after I signed up for a writing class. Please, PLEASE, don't take the blog into consideration. Its just a journal to my life and who wants to edit life? The writing class has been challenging. When school was out, writing was a breeze. As soon the boys went back to homeschooling, my writing is sporadic and I have to say...not great. I shudder to think what my instructor will think of the last one I sent in. We learn better from our mistakes right?
 This year is going to be the year of schedules and lists. So much of what I want to accomplish lays abandoned, for lack of scheduling. (cough..my writing) I am praying about what to do for school next year. School has been a rock  boulder on my toe ever since my daughter started Kindergarten. I am praying about weather to send everyone to school next year or home school. Urgh...cant decide.
  Onward I cry, to lists and schedules! May this next year be filled with order!